Half to thomas b



(No Model.)

1. BIRGE.

SCALE MEASURE.

No. 434,911. Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISIDORE BIRGF, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENN SYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- IIALF TO THOMAS B. WVANAMAKER, OF SAME PLACE.

SCALE-MEASU RE,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,911, dated August 26, 1890.

Application filed January 27, 1890. Serial 1J0. 338,304. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, ISIDORE BIRGE, of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Movable Measuring-Sticks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention has relation to measuring de vices for counters; and it consists in a movable yard-stick or measure secured to and movable on a counter or stand.

The object of my invention is to provide a ready movable measure which may be secured firmly in position above the counter, or turn ed under the counter out of the way when not in use, as desired.

In the accompanying drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the counter with my improved attachment secured thereto adjusted in position ready for use. Fig. 2is across-sectional view on the line a: on, Fig. 1, showing in dotted lines the position of the movable measure when not in use and shifted underneath the counter.

Arepresents the movable measure secured by hinge O to the under side of the counter 13. I preferably employ a' hinge constructed as shown in the drawings, havin the plate a, secured to the underside of the count-er, and the upper plate a bent in an L-shape, secured to the under side of the measuringstick and pivoted to the fixed plate a by the the hinge-joint of. Other forms of connec tion for adjusting the measuring-stick above and below the counter at will may, however, be employed, as I do not limit myselfto the particular form of hinge-joint shown.

'When it is desired to adjust the measuringstick for use, it is thrown into position above the counter, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and when itis not-in use it is shifted by a simple movement of the hand into position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, underneath the counter. The counter is thus cleared of the obstruction, and yet the measuring-stick may be moved to a steady fixed position above the counter atany moment by a single movement of the hand. The stick A is retained in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a tight joint (L or by the plates a being slightly drawn toward or from each other when secured to the stick A. The measuring-stick A,being slightly elevated above the counter B when in its raised position, facilitates the measuring of the goods and renders possible a much more accurate measurement than when the measuring-scale is on a level with the counter by allowing the goods to be grasped in the fingers at the exact ends of the measure, the hand being depressed below the measuring surface. Thus the goods are accurately and rapidly measured and transferred from end to end of the measuring-stick in the process of measurement.

My invention, in addition to the other features of the readily-movable measuringstick, hereinbefore set forth, possesses also the merits and advantages of a fixed measure elevated above the surface of the counter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with a counter or stand, a movable measuring-arm secured uiovably to the said counter or stand by means substantially as described, and adapted to be ole vated above the level of the counter or stand when in use and dropped or depressed underneath the same when not in use by means of its connection with the said counter or stand, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described.

2. In combination with a counter or stand, a movable measuring-stick secured inovably to the said counter or stand on elbows or arms hinged to said counter or stand, which said measuring-stick may be elevated and secured at will above the level of said counter or stand, or rotated on said arms underneath said counter or stand, bymeans and in the manner substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described.

3. In combination with a counter or stand B, the movable measuring-stick A, hinges C, pivoted at one end to said counter or stand B, and having the stickA secured at or near the other end, said stickAin being elevated above or depressed below said counter or stand B describing on the hinges O a segment of a circle, in the manner substantially as herein- I below said counter or stand B on the said plate 10 before set forth and described. 7 (L in the manner and by the means substan- 4. A movable measuring-stick A, hinge C, tially as hereinbefore set forth and described. having plates at and 0, hinged at a by a pin In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 5 or otherwise, in combination with a counter hand this 9th day of January, A.D. 1890.

or standB, said plate a secured to the under ISIDORE BIRGE. side of said counter or stand B, and the stick \Vitnesses:

A secured to the upper end of said plate a CHAS. B. KEEN,

adapted to be elevated above or depressed LAURA KOEHNLEIN. 

